How to convince my mom to let me shop at the thrift store?

What is the reason that she doesn’t allows you to shop at thrift stores?

Well she says the clothes there are dirty and wonders why anyone would want to shop for old things anyway, I do realize that some of the clothing might be a tad bit dirty (and to stay away from that kind of thing) , but there are some stuff that are really cool and clean.

Actually, in most second stores and thrift stores, they wash the clothes before they put them on the rack. Also, they can only sell gently used clothes in good to great quality.
You should tell her the thrifted and vintage clothes are highly sought after in today’s world and that it’s cheaper, so less money is going to spent per item. If she’s using her money, you have to respect her decision. You could warm her up by visiting a thrift store and seeing where she goes from there. Plato’s Closet, if you have one where you live, is a good start to thrifting because everything is considered in style still.

i suggest starting off something a bit less extreme so that your mom will understand, maybe a consignment store like crossroads or buffalo exchange because in these stores they actually choose what they want from customers who sell their clothing item. Maybe after your parent starts becoming more comfortable with that then they can see that buying second hand isn’t so bad because they may realize that you can actually find amazing stuff for way cheaper than retail price and it’s one of a kind. If that doesn’t work, I think showing her youtube videos of people who thrift may help as well. Good luck!

You’re saving money and will wash the clothes after you buy them. How can she say no??

You’re also helping the planet out a bit by buying used things too, especially when they’re still in good condition.

^ definitely second the idea of taking her to crossroads or buffalo exchange. maybe when she sees how clean the store/clothes are, she’ll change her mind :).

just tell her they’re really selective about the clothes they choose, and you’ll obviously wash them before wearing. plus, bacteria can’t survive that long on clothing.

Thank you all for great ideas! :)))

Well, just in case all else fails, you can save up and shop on your own and you don’t have to tell her. If ever you find anything nice and she asks you where you got it, that’s when you let her know. :)

My mom is the same way.i just go on my own lol

Just buy from there and say “Look at this amazing top I got from the market” (or wherever).

Here in the UK, we have charity shops so the proceeds go to a good cause. If you have something like that, you could tell her that you’re doing a good deed. Surely nobody can argue with charity?

I donate items to thrift stores, brand new from my website…photo shoots leave items that are “used” and never worn! I have bought from some that I purchase things with the tags still on!
and I taught my kids to shop for things at thrift stores…some consignment stores are so upscale, they never take my stuff….go to a fancy one first…she will see.

A lot of people have certain opinions about thrift stores, most of them won’t budge. Just go yourself, as long as you garment care correctly, you should be in the clear!

I love thrift stores! You save a lot of money even on name brands. I have even found stuff with tags still on it. I suggest find a friend you could go with first but if you do manage to convince her, it might even be surprising that she does not even find something herself. Trust me I once felt the same way until I went into one myself and found things I loved for great steals.

I’m pleased to announce that my mom has now let me shop at thrifts stores!!!!! :D
Yaaaayyyy!! Thanks guys for all your great tips!!

you could have not told her :-?

I know what you mean. Every week my mom always asks me if I went to any second hand stores lately and I just tell her no. She doesn’t give me money so I feel it is not her decision whether or not I can shop at thrift stores.

I have been thrifting for years now and I almost always find new things to buy…remind your Mom that you are doing waaayyyy more harm than good when you thrift shop….in more ways than one…;)

I have been thrifting for years now and I almost always find new things to buy…remind your Mom that you are doing waaayyyy more harm than good when you thrift shop….in more ways than one…;)

Uhh does she know that the “new” clothes that you buy are not only made in factories that may (notice I said “may”) have unsanitary conditions, but also they are shipped to stores and people touch and try them on all day or buy and return them to the store where they end up where? Back on the rack. New clothes don’t = clean. Do a little research. Good Morning America has a great article on it http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/gma-found-clothes-clean/story?id=9482373#.UYnlXL_y_lc. If cleanliness is her main issue you should wash or send every new piece of clothing out to the cleaners before you wear it just as you would a thrifted piece . Best of luck to you. Let me know how it goes

omg I would go anyways !!! thrift shopping is the best, its all I wear, its magical, i cant even express it.
dont go to buffalo or the trendy thrift stores, those are not real ones. go to a real one !!!
most of those clothes are from AA and urban outfitters. but if thats what your looking for. thats great too.
tell your mom that they are cheap and she wont be spending too much. I dont know go with some friends instead of her! hahahah , its not like your gonna do nothing bad.
say this: mom, chill and be cool!!=)

I have that exact same problem! My Mom hates thrift stores. Once I went with my friend and came back with some clothes, only to have my Mom hide it from me! To this day I still haven’t found them :) I’m sure your Mom has her own reasons for not letting you go. You should probably use everyone above’s advice. Best of luck :D

Maybe your mom has some bad experience with thrifted clothes. Maybe there is a good reason that she has that she hasn’t shared with you. I suggest you have an open conversation with her so you can at least understand her point of view. Maybe she is just be protective and wants to make sure you look a certain way.
I personally do not have issues with second hand clothes, thrift shops, vintage, anything like that. If anything, I’m 100% for it. I wrote on my page just the other day how we all should take a look at second hand stores if you haven’t done so. We are helping the environment by reuse and reduce and upcycling fashion is fun! Also, the clothes are cheaper and can be very unique, you never know what you’ll find. I fount some vintage piece from Goodwill the other day from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and some more current pieces. I got eight items and paid only around $50! Some of these pieces are featured on my page right now and I will continue you to post more. They don’t look old and dirty—check it out! :o) If your mom is worried about cleanliness, explain to her that they are washed but you can also wash them yourself before you wear them just like some people do with any clothes they buy at department stores. Also, maybe buy pieces that looks relatively new. Some of the pieces I’ve found were barely worn by previous owner, looks brand new and some even had original tags. It’s just a matter of taking some time to review thoroughly before purchasing. If your mom has issues and fears that her peers thinking you guys are poor because they find out that you buy second hand clothes, then that would be a little more difficult to convince her for sure. You may never be able to convince her to buy second hand clothes if she thinks that will hurt her reputation and maybe you may have to respect her on this if it’s that important to her. But I hope you both can have an open conversation and she will understand why you want to try thrift shopping and will let you. And hopefully she can join you too one day. Good luck! ;D